Bottle & Cork

1807 HIGHWAY ONE
Dewey Beach, De 19971

By Elle Wood

DEWEY BEACH — The strength of music can sometimes be enough to heal.

That is exactly what it did for retired Purple Heart recipient and Army veteran Scotty Hasting, who is set to perform at Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach on May 10.

Although he got into singing, songwriting and performing later in life, it was always something he enjoyed doing.

“I’ve been singing since I was a kid,” said Mr. Hasting. “It’s funny. My mom always said that I was in a good place when I was singing.

“Singing was always, and still is, my happy place.”

The Cincinnati native enlisted in the Army in October of 2010. He was deployed April 21, 2011 to Afghanistan where he served as an Army Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division 4th Squadron 4th Calvary.

During his service, he was shot 10 times in various places on his body. In January 2015, he medically retired from the Army.

This is when singing became an important part of his life. He turned to music to heal from post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions he experienced after his time in the Army.

“For me it was a necessity,” said Mr. Hasting. “I had been to Afghanistan and (was) shot a bunch of times. So I dealt with and still deal with PTSD, depression and anxiety.

“When it’s quiet, the demons knock the loudest.”

Even through these experiences, enlisting in the Army is something he will never regret.

“I loved the Army,” said Mr. Hasting. “The most important part and the best part of the Army was the guys and the comrade.

“That’s the part you miss the most when you get out.”

The veteran is also very involved with various nonprofit organizations to give back to those currently serving or recently retired. Some of these organizations include Guitars 4 Vets, One Vet at a Time, Tunnel 2 Towers and more.

“Helping out nonprofits, veteran nonprofits especially, that is where my heart is,” said Mr. Hasting. “Veterans are my people.

“There’s been a lot of nonprofits that have helped me and saved my life, and I want to be a part of that helping to help as many people as we can.”

He officially signed a record deal with Black River Entertainment, which also includes country music star Kelsea Ballerini, in late 2023. He said the label has supported him and gave him the opportunity to share his experiences with others in a way that he finds genuine and real.

His debut EP, “I’m America”, will be released May 3. He is excited as people begin to hear his words and stories through music.

“It is my first EP ever,” said Mr. Hasting. “I am incredibly supported by my label, Black River, in a sense that I want to help people with my music by being 100% me and vulnerable by letting people see my heart on my sleeve.”

His show at the Bottle & Cork, 1807 Del. 1 in Dewey Beach, will be one of the first times he will perform songs from his EP live after its release. This will also be his first visit to the Delaware

Jovon Newman, a First State native, will open for him. Mr. Newman most recently performed that national anthem at the General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series at Dover Motor Speedway this past weekend.

He has also served in the military in the Delaware Air National Guard as a firefighter, and now works as a recruiter. Mr. Hasting is ready to perform with the Delaware native.

“It is going to be so much fun,” said Mr. Hasting. “I am so excited about it.”

To purchase tickets for the show visit CorkTickets.com.